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Your Health This Fall

Stay active, make healthy eating choices, and keep your family safe and healthy this fall.

Your Health This Fall

As the season changes so may some of our health and safety concerns.

Fall is here and the days are getting shorter. With less hours of daylight, many of us may get less physical activity. We may also spend more time snacking in front of the television, or eating bigger meals as the festive season gets underway. The beginning of fall also signals the start of cold and flu season. Our children are back in school or daycare, which is not only a change in routine, but can also increase the risk of spreading germs. As our regular routines and activities change, so will our health concerns. It is important you have the information you need to take care of yourself and your family and to continue to eat healthy and stay active.

For information on how to stay safe and healthy this fall, click on the links below.

Featured Topics

Antibiotics

During cold and flu season many people have questions about using antibiotics when they are sick. Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria and can treat infections such as strep throat or sinus infections. They do not work against illnesses caused by a virus such as the common cold or the flu. Click on the links below to learn more.

For more information about using antibiotics, visit BC Centre for Disease Control – Do Bugs Needs Drugs?

Cold Weather

As the temperatures drop it is important to understand what cold exposure is, and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Click on the links below to learn more.

Flu Season

The flu is an infection of the upper airway caused by an influenza virus. Every year there is a period of time where there are more outbreaks of the flu, this is called flu season. For more information about the flu and flu season, visit our Influenza (Flu) Season health feature.

Food Safety

During the fall season, there are always lots of new and fun foods to try at farmers markets and fall fairs. In addition, ours kids are spending more time eating out of the house as they return to school or day care. For information on how to make sure the food you and your family are eating is safe, click on the links below.

Halloween

There is a lot of fun to be had during Halloween, but it is also important that you keep your family safe and healthy. Click on the links below for more information.

Healthy Eating

Spending more time indoors and at home might make you open that refrigerator more often. For information on how to maintain a healthy eating lifestyle, click on the links below.

Indoor Air Quality

With shorter daylight hours and with colder outdoor temperature, you will likely be spending more time indoors. To learn more about indoor air quality, click on the links below.

Make sure to test your carbon monoxide detectors regularly, and replace the batteries every 6 months. An easy way to remember is to change the batteries when you set the clock back (in the fall) or forward (in the spring). Click on the links below to learn more.

School and Day Care

With children back in school and in day care, the spread of germs, viruses and bacteria is likely to increase. To learn how to protect your family and yourself, click on the links below.

For more information about how to help your child stay safe and learn healthy lifestyle habits this school year, visit our Back To School health feature.

Stay Active

Don’t let the dark and cold nights keep you from staying active. Physical activity is a key factor in keeping you and your family healthy. Click on the links below to learn how simple and fun activities can keep you healthy.

Useful Websites

BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. They provide provincial and national leadership in public health through surveillance, detection, prevention and consultation. For information about the use of antibiotics when you are sick, click on the link below.

Healthy Canadians

Healthy Canadians is a Government of Canada website that provides reliable, easy-to-understand health and safety information for the Canadian public and health professionals. For information on how to keep your family safe and healthy during the Halloween season, click on the link below.

Healthy Families BC

The Healthy Families BC website encourages families to work together to create healthier lives, schools, communities and workplaces for all British Columbians. The website provides practical tips on health and learning, healthy eating and healthy lifestyle choices. Click on the links below to learn more.

ImmunizeBC

ImmunizeBC works to improve the health of British Columbians and reduce the number of infections by vaccine-preventable diseases by providing information on immunizations to individuals, families, and health care providers. They also provide tools to make it easier for B.C. families to get immunized. To learn more, click on the links below.

Last Reviewed: September 2016

Is it an emergency?

If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control now at 1-800-567-8911.

Thanks to our partners and endorsers:

Northern HealthBritish Columbia College of Family PhysiciansProvincial Health Services AuthorityVancouver Coastal HealthBritish Columbia Medical Association: Doctors of BCIsland HealthCollege of Pharmacists of British ColumbiaCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of British ColumbiaFraser Health AuthorityCollege of Dietitians of British ColumbiaInterior HealthCollege of Dental Surgeons of British ColumbiaBC Centre for Disease Control